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I've been a pilot since 1987. Since that time I've earned various FAA-issued
certificates and ratings. I'm now an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and
Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). If you're a pilot or thinking about
becoming one, check out this section.

I own a 2006 BMW 330ci and a 1998 BMW 328is. This section contains information
I've collected over many years of ownership. If you're a prospective or
current BMW 328/330 owner, you'll likely find this section helpful.

This section contains older articles and topics I no longer actively update,
but have proven useful to readers. Please note that due to lack of time,
I don't field questions about these topics.

BMW330ci: Sleeping in Comfortable Quarters

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

I received some good news recently that will both facilitate and demand the
purchase of a new daily driver. But before I do that I needed to put the E36
back into the garage, and that meant finding a new place for the E46 to live
for awhile. It now sleeps in
comfortable quarters.

BMW328is: ASC Actuator Cable Replaced

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Recently the ASC and ABS annunicators illuminated simulaneously, much as they
had when the ASC relay failed some time ago but I managed to trace the problem
to the ASC throttle body actuator cable. This turned out to be a relatively
simple and inexpensive repair. Of course, you're welcome to check out
the full story.

BMW330ci: Migration to Classic Car Insurance

Friday, May 11, 2018

I've long wanted to protect my E46 with stated value
insurance but until recently I couldn't accept the restrictions
on vehicle usage. With the E36 restoration complete I figured
it was time to
make the switch.

BMW328is: Door Lock Diagnosis and Repair

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Tired of having to lock and unlock the car using either the
trunk or passenger door lock, I finally managed to schedule
some shop time to remove the driver's door panel and repair
the lock assembly. While I had the door apart I also decided
to install the window motor I purchased
almost five years ago.

BMW328is: Overhaul Vendor Reveal

Sunday, April 15, 2018

I managed to get an update on the delivery timeframe for the drip moldings
and swap my winter tires for the sticky ones. As the vehicle has been
performing as expected I figured now would be a good time to reveal the
vendor I used for my transmission overhaul. A short update but
interesting nonetheless.

BMW328is: Third Oil Service and Analysis

Saturday, March 24, 2018

After a short delay due to time spent in the body shop I finally
got around to performing the third oil service after about 1000
miles. I also submitted an oil sample for analysis and the results
are intriguing.
Check out the full story.

Tech: Custom 8 Bit CPU

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Inspired by the work of a couple of guys on YouTube I decided to
create a custom 8 bit CPU. My version was designed to be
manufacturable, so it discards through-hole packages for SMD,
EEPROMs for FPGAs and, of course, solderless breadboards
for a six layer PCB with a custom stackup. If this sounds
intriguing check out my latest
tech article.

BMW328is: Return to Body Shop

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in. After
a month of inhospitable weather I was finally able to wash and
properly inspect the recent paint work. I was not impressed,
and wound up bringing the car
back to the body shop yet again.

Site: New For Sale Section

Saturday, January 27, 2018

I've created a new For Sale section on the site to facilitate
the sale of a variety of personal items, the bulk of which are
related to my recent BMW M52 overhaul. Here's your chance to
pick up some good tools at a great price. Get
them while they last.

BMW328is: More Windshield Frame Rust Repair

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Before I pulled the car apart for the driveline overhaul I
realized rust around the windshield frame I last repaired in
2013 had returned so in late November I wound up taking
the car back to the body
shop yet again.

BMW328is: Overhaul Project Videos

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Late last month I reluctantly swapped my summer rubber for something
more suitable for the winter months. Since then the break-in has been
proceeding as expected. Lastly, over the last few weeks, I've managed
to publish a series of videos E36 owners will no doubt find
very interesting.

BMW328is: Second Oil Service

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

With another 325 miles on the clock (525 total since the overhaul) and
cold weather beckoning I decided it was time to transition to synthetic
oil, so today I completed the second oil service
since the overhaul.

BMW328is: First Oil Service

Monday, November 6, 2017

With a 200 miles on the clock since the overhaul and the rings
mostly seated I completed an oil service to inspect the oil
and filter and ultimately judge the
state of the break-in process.

BMW328is: Driveline Project Complete

Thursday, November 2, 2017

I put the vehicle on my brother's lift one last time to inspect the car,
and then aligned the headlights and wrapped up a few other miscellaneous
items before taking the vehicle home. While I don't plan to let my guard
down until I'm out of the break-in period I think I can safely consider
the project complete.

BMW328is: Delivery Day

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Nearly 20 years after the original purchase of my E36 in 1998 and three
months following the start of the project I took delivery of the vehicle
from my technician following the installation of my remanufactured
driveline. I have a few more items to tackle before the vehicle can
be returned to daily driver status but I plan to
tackle that tomorrow.

BMW328is: Road Test Complete

Monday, October 30, 2017

After some last minute diagnostics the transmission was topped off
and we took the car out under it's own power for the first time in
three months. The road test revealed a smooth engine and transmission
and no other issues. Assuming my technician wraps up a few
details I expect to take delivery tomorrow.

BMW328is: Engine Start!

Friday, October 27, 2017

After some diagnostics and pre-oiling procedures my technician
and I managed to fire up the engine. Nothing more I can say
except today was a good day.

BMW328is: Assembly Wrap-Up

Thursday, October 26, 2017

I dropped by my technician's bay this afternoon to check on
his progress and am happy to report that we're very close to
wrapping up the assembly process. There are just a few more
things to install like the exhaust and the radiator and we'll
be ready to fire up the engine.

BMW328is: Assembly Begins

Monday, October 23, 2017

In the blink of an eye my technician had the fuel tank reinstalled
and I brought him the remainder of the parts he'll need to put the
car back together for a first start, possibly at the
end of this week.

BMW328is: Fuel Tank Removed

Friday, October 20, 2017

Yesterday my technician removed the fuel tank and I used the
opportunity to take some pictures of the vehicle that aren't
very well documented. I also finished the fuel tank support
and delivered that to my technician, only to have him point
out the crusty emergency brake
cable brackets.

BMW328is: Chassis Delivery

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

After some last-minute chassis work I managed to deliver the
chassis to my technician yesterday and wrap up the engine work
by installing the valve cover and coils. Today I met with my
technician to discuss the assembly plan and
refinished the center fuel
tank strap.

BMW328is: Engine Final Assembly

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Over the last couple of days I've gathered a bunch of obscure torque
specifications and attached everything I could to the engine in prep
for its delivery to my technician. Aside from a few odds and ends I
have to order on Monday I consider the engine
nearly fully assembled.

BMW328is: Engine Timed and VANOS Installed

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Today I carefully assembled the components required to time the engine and
install the VANOS. This required briefly pulling the engine off the stand
to lock the bottom end at Cylinder #1 TDC. This is a fairly geeky entry
with lots of technical details, but if that's your thing then
check it out.

BMW328is: Cams Installed with Special Tool

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

i managed to order a new helical shaft and have my technician install
it. Hearing of my failed attempt to install the cams my technician was
kind enough to allow me to borrow the dealership's special tool for this
task. I also managed to install a few other accessories. Things are
looking up again as I
get closer to wrapping up the build.

BMW328is: Cam Installation Attempt

Sunday, October 8, 2017

After a very long string of productive days at the garage, today turned
out to be the low point in the project. I achieved none of my goals
due to two separate issues I encountered today that will stop work until
I can address them.

BMW328is: Head Installed

Saturday, October 7, 2017

After a bunch of preparation I managed to install the head today.
I'm not sure if it was a function of the oil I applied to the bolts
or the quality of the head bolt set, but this process went a lot
smoother than it did when I installed the torque plate. I'm now
to the ready to install the cams.

BMW328is: Head Preparation

Friday, October 6, 2017

After reviewing TIS documents yesterday I decided to purchase
an oversize head gasket after all. While I wait for it to arrive
I decided to prepare the head for installation. This amounted
to removing the AMC cam carriers, a bit of cleaning and
to the vacuum bleeding the lifters.

BMW328is: Oil Pump Installed

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Today I wrapped up the bulk of the bottom end assembly by
safety wiring the oil pump bolt and installing the timing chain
guides, primary timing chain, timing cover and oil pan. I still
have a bunch of parts to attach to the exterior of the block but
those will be tackled after the head is installed. Preparation related
to the head installation is next.

BMW328is: Oil Pump Installed

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Today I installed a bunch of parts including the new rod bolts,
rear main seal gasket, windage tray and oil pump. I encountered
a couple issues during the oil pump installation but with some
patience and help from Achilles I got the job done. The bottom
end is almost wrapped up.

BMW328is: Rod Assemblies Installed

Monday, October 2, 2017

The rods, complete with pistons and clocked rings, have been
installed in the block. During a validation step I took some
measurements I didn't like so I had to seek advice from TEP.
More details in the
latest build update.